Puppetry in Challenging Times

Hands-on activities, imagination, interaction, singing, laughing,

sharing ~ these are the stuff of puppetry ~ and don't we all need them? 

The mission of Acorn & Rose is to contribute to the well-being of children, teens and adults by providing time-proven activities, inspiration, and meaningful opportunities for self-expression.  The live puppet shows we offer, with audience participation, are one step in this process. Our classes and workshops add another dimension. Making and using puppets, interacting with puppets at school, home or hospital - these offer many more special gifts - all in the guise of play. 

Oftentimes a child will speak far more freely to a puppet than to another person.  Puppets are unique as a tool for self-expression, for fun, creativity and imagination. They are also invaluable for use in conflict resolution and dealing in appropriate ways with the emotional challenges and power struggles that arise during our human days. Frequent use of puppets in daily life is a jumpstart for children to develop truthful relationships with peers and adults, greatly enriching their personal growth and development. 

Children learn with passion and gusto when subjects are introduced to them by puppets, and they love the fun of sharing what they have learned by having puppets act out or speak for them. By introducing and sharing the benefits of puppets, parents and teachers will find them invaluable as educational tools - for any and all academic subjects.

Throughout time, people of all cultures have created and used puppets, finding a  magic that engenders refreshingly open, honest communication between a puppeteer and her audience. Children of every culture and background play with puppets freely, stretching their minds and articulating their thoughts, using their hands, voices, words and language.

Puppets may be made very simply, they may be bought, or they may be made carefully and slowly with time and training. In teaching children on a day-to-day basis, the art matters far less than intent, content and heart to heart communication. The word "amateur" is derived from the French "amare," to love. And love, sharing, connecting ~ that is the greatest use for any puppet. 

  I want to help children grow to be Big and Rich - Big enough

 to give and Rich in things that have no price.

 Nancy Tyndall, Puppeteer